Good run, rubbish organisation (Great North Run (BUPA))

Member Name: bazrochester

Product:	Great North Run (BUPA)
Date:	15/10/08 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: enjoy the run

Disadvantages: ignorant people, no phone signal

I have no idea why i decided to do the GNR, i think it was decided in Feb sort of time. Between my boyfirend, my sister and I, I have been blamed with having the idea.

I didnt get in on the ballot and thus had to apply to run through a charity (my sister and boyfriend got in on the ballot). I decided to run for cancer research, no particular reason, i suppose its a good charity!

The run itself was fine, i had done the training and can run that distance. what really annoyed me was the organisation.

Ok so it is a massive event and it must be a total headache to organise but here are my suggestions for you too look out for but also for organisers!

The start, for some reason spectators were right down next to the 'pens' where runners start from. People eacorting their loved ones to the start to kiss them goodbye. Well they just were in the way totally! Its very nice that they wanted to say goodbye and good luck but when there is only restricted space to walk in and 53thousand people are trying to get into place do you really need another few thousand jamming the place up just to say goodbye???

Once in the 'pen' i found there were people who either lied about how fast they could run it to get into a position so far forward or were just totally ignorant! I was in the 'under 2 hours' pen and there were some people who were running whilst pushing push chairs, some people who were obviously not fit enough and just totally should not have been there! It is very annoying as I then had to weave my way round them as i was trying to run it under 2hours! Some people were even walking by the time they go to the tyne bridge and thats only 2 miles in!!!

At the finish dont bother taking a mobile phone, there is no signal in South Shields as the GNR sends out texts of your finish time to up to 3 people. so 53thousand people sign up to that service thats 159thousand texts being sent over 5hours or so plus then 53thousand people trying to phone eachother to meet up.

Summary: Really think about this before doing it. To me disadvantages outweigh the advantages now.